Coleman looks to the future

Manager Chris Coleman says Wales must try and move on following their 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in an emotional Gary Speed Memorial Match at Cardiff City Stadium.

PUBLISHED: 16:00, Thu, Mar 1, 2012

Chris Coleman (right) with Gary Speed's mother and father [PA]

Manager Chris Coleman says Wales must try and move on following their 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in an emotional Gary Speed Memorial Match at Cardiff City Stadium.

The friendly marked the first time Wales had played since the death of manager Speed in November and several touching tributes were paid to the former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United midfielder.

Coleman, who was visibly emotional during his post-match press conference, said: "Gary would have wanted us to move on. We've all paid our respects and everyone played their part, but we must now look forward. We will move on eventually but I think at the minute maybe we weren't ready to, so we needed to deal with this game."

With Wales having just two friendlies, against Mexico in May and Bosnia-Herzegovina in August, before they start their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, Coleman says the national side must now find the strength to move forward and honour Speed's memory.

He added: "We have Mexico in May and when we meet up then I have got to find myself as if I can't move on with it the players can't as they will be looking to me for guidance.

"I will be ready in another two or three months, I will be ready before the qualifiers start but I just wasn't ready for tonight, this was very difficult to see all his family here."

Coleman also revealed that Craig Bellamy, who could have won his 68th and final cap against the Costa Ricans, had told him he needed to pick himself up ahead of the fixture.

"Craig texted me on Tuesday and said we should go for a cup of coffee and Craig told me to pull my finger out," he said.

"He knows me and he knew I hadn't been myself. We haven't been looking forward to this, but now we have got to look to May and Mexico and be ready."